>>45001414
>It helps the Soul Society to have allies, and I choose mine carefully.
>It doesn't paint me in a good light but we all do what we have to do to keep the peace of Seireitei

>>45001414
>>Of course it is. I wouldn't have done it otherwise.
...besides...
>>It helps the Soul Society to have allies, and I choose mine carefully.

>>45001414
>They're good, trustworthy people, Shinji. That's all that matters

>>45001414
>Of course it is. I wouldn't have done it otherwise.
"I've worked with them for the past century. They're good people."

>>45001414
>It helps the Soul Society to have allies, and I choose mine carefully.
>Perhaps not, but it'll be fine.

>>45001414
>>It helps the Soul Society to have allies, and I choose mine carefully.

>>45001414
>It helps the Soul Society to have allies, and I choose mine carefully.
>It also helps that said allies aren't from Soul Society, an outsider's perspective can give a lot of insight.

>>45001414
>>Of course it is. I wouldn't have done it otherwise.
>>It helps the Soul Society to have allies, and I choose mine carefully.

>>45001414

>>45001414
>>It helps the Soul Society to have allies, and I choose mine carefully.
>>45001566
fking derp. my bad.

>>45001414
>Of course it is. I wouldn't have done it otherwise
>There are shinigami who are vile monsters, there are Hollows that don't want to be bound by their instincts. The world isn't as simple as it seems at first glance

>>45001414
>It helps the Soul Society to have allies, and I choose mine carefully.
>They no longer need to feed on souls. This gives them the freedom to chose what to do, and for the past century they've chosen to help SS despite knowing that many would try to kill them instead of thanking them.

>>45001414
>Theyre less likely to go on a rampage than Captain Zarakai

>>45001414
>Times change, what sounds like a bad idea centuries ago could be the thought that could save Soul Society here and now.

>>45001414
>A good idea to fight alongside some of the most powerful and loyal friends I've ever met? Absolutely

>>45001414
>writing

I don't know why, but I feel like Kenpachi and Apacci would make a good and terrifying couple

>>45001850
Kenpachi can only get it up to hyper violence.
Apacci better crank those ranks in regeneration.

>>45001850
Zaraki's only love interest is fight

>>45001414
You can't say you didn't expect questions like that, and over breakfast is when you'd first expect to have to explain your actions. And so you tell the chef the absolute truth as you see it.

“It helps the Seireitei to have allies,” you nod quietly, raising your voice a little to ensure that you're heard throughout the room. “I chose mine with the utmost care, and only after many years of consideration.”

“If I didn't trust them implicitly I wouldn't have bothered. Out of all the countless thousands of hollows out there, I've had the good fortune to meet those six that can be relied upon, and they've been my friends for many decades.”

“I understand, ma'am,” the chef nods quietly. “I apologize for questioning your judgment.”

“It's quite alright,” you dismiss his concerns with a wave. “These arrancar even challenged my understanding of hollows. All I ask is that you keep your mind open.”

“Besides,” the man behind you mutters, “they can't be more likely than Zaraki to go on a rampage.”

“Probably true,” you allow, “though I'd be careful who I said that to.”

The rest of the day is fairly open, with the Central 46 having been wiped out and the Divisions still recovering from the unrest. But there are a few things that could be done with the day.

>Spend time with your own Division
>Speak with one of the Captains (which?)
>Continue checking in on the humans?
>Find Urahara

>>45001850
I dunno why but I think him and halibel would go better together

>>45001969
You have really bad taste.

>>45001956
>Spend time with your own Division
Gotta show a good face to the troops and calm any questions before it becomes dissent

>Spend time with your own Division
Mandatory house arrest funtime between our Division and the arrancar
>>45001969
nah, Halibel and Starrk have been lowkey hooking up for the past hundred years

>>45001956
>Spend time with your own Division

>>45002003
That might be the reason honestly. To back it up I've recently been told I eat oreos oddly.

>>45001956
>Find Urahara

I kind of want to speak with Komamura but eh doesn't seem like he'd want to talk to us.

>>45001956
>>Spend time with your own Division

>>45001956
>Spend time with your own Division

>>45001969
nah. Of the arrancar, Apacci pairs off the best with Kenpachi.
But I can see her with Renji a lot more easily than Kenny. Harribel's probably with Starrk,b cause ain't nobody able to resist his dance moves. Mila Rose and Sung-Sun clearly were having hatesex even before they became arrancar, and might have an actual relationship by now

>>45001956
>Spend time with your own Division
"Anyone got their asses kicked by the 5th Division members? You'll be in printing duty!"

>>45001956
>Continue checking in on the humans?

>Writing

>>45001956
Really, you figure as you stare into your oatmeal, you can't see any reason why you should go out and bother the other Divisions today. For once, let them come to you if they feel the need. Instead of heading out into the Seireitei, you pull out your Denreishinki and send a call to Rangiku. When she replies she sounds rather exhausted.

“Captain, what is it?” she asks on the other end.

You ponder for a moment. “I'd like to meet and discuss... well, all the things that have happened in the last few days. I haven't had much time to carry out my usual duties.”

When she finally meets you in your office, you've begun doing paperwork. Filing casualty reports, incident reports the whole lot. Rangiku looks at you as if you've gone utterly mad.

“Who are you and what have you done with my mother?” she demands, only half jokingly.

You shrug, motioning for her to sit. “I've got to admit, sometimes the mundane stuff like this is a breath of fresh air.”

“I guess I can understand that,” she replies, taking her seat. “So, what's the plan?”

“I'm not entirely sure,” you admit.

>Open up the question to your senior staff
>I want to do some exercises between the arrancar and the Division
>Let's train or practice or something, like we used to
>Other?

>>45002399
>I want to do some exercises between the arrancar and the Division

>>45002399
>Open up the question to your senior staff

>>45002399
>>I want to do some exercises between the arrancar and the Division

>>45002399
>>I want to do some exercises between the arrancar and the Division

>>45002399
>>I want to do some exercises between the arrancar and the Division

>>45002399
>Open up the question to your senior staff

>>45002399
>>Open up the question to your senior staff

>>45002399
>I want to do some exercises between the arrancar and the Division

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>>45002399
“I was thinking,” you muse, “we have several guests here and we've made an awful poor showing of our hospitality.”

“You want to let the arrancar and our Division mingle?” Rangiku asks in surprise. “Are you sure? Keeping them apart has ensured that nobody's done anything rash, but I can't guarantee things will stay that way.”

You laugh at the notion. “You really think Starrk or Halibel are gonna cause a problem?”

“It's not them I'm worried about,” Rangiku admits. “It's Sun-Sung and Mila Rose who could be a bit... abrasive.”

“And with us involved it'll be fine,” you reassure her. “I know it's a bit of a risk, but I think the reward is worth it.”

Rangiku nods quietly. “Alright, I'll get the word out. You want to track down the Commandos?”

“Can't see any reason why not,” you agree. “I've been meaning to check in with Kai and Hisagi anyway.”

>Find Hisagi first
>Find Kai
>Find Mirai
>Find Rukia
Also,
>Warn Yamamoto
>Yamamoto doesn't need to know

>>45002632
>>Find Hisagi first

>>45002632
>Find Rukia
>Warn Yamamoto
I'd say invite Yamamoto, but he'd make everyone uncomfortable

>>45002632
>>Find Kai
>>Warn Yamamoto

>>45002632
>>Find Rukia

>>Warn Yamamoto

>>45002399
>Open up the question to your senior staff
>I want to do some exercises between the arrancar and the Division

>>45002632
>>Find Rukia
>Also,
>>Warn Yamamoto

>>45002632
>Find Rukia
>Warn Yamamoto

>>45002632
>Find Kai
I'm trying to recall if he's the most out of the loop in this Arrancar business, so he gets a heads up.

>Warn Yamamoto
>Kaoru, we might need your barrier knowledge. Just in case.

>>45002632
>Yamamoto doesn't need to know

>>45002632
>Find Kai
our old friend first
>Warn Yamamoto

>>45002632
>Find Rukia
>Warn Yamamoto

>>45002632
>writing

>>45002880
You know, seeing as Arturo is an arrancar, and Aizen's been recruiting arrancar of his own, getting experience in how to fight arrancar or even just what arrancar are capable of (things like Hierro, Bala, Sonido, etc) isn't a bad idea. Even small details like how unleashing your Resurreccion (and returning back to your sealed form) closes wounds can come in handy.

>>45002966
arrancar respect strength tho, and none in the division can hold up to them

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>>45002632
You decide that it's high time that Kuchiki Rukia be returned to her responsibilities as a member of your Division, regardless of her current condition. In fact it's precisely because of her condition and her role in the recent events that she should be introduced to the arrancar today. Of your Commandos she knows the least about the overall situation.

Within the hour you find yourself at the Fourth Division hospital, forcing your way past orderlies to a room on the third floor where you find Rukia... along with another familiar face.

“Well, isn't this touching,” you grin at Byakuya where he lies in his bed. “You've got your own little room! I hope you've used the time you've been stuck together wisely.”

“I have,” Byakuya replies. “Lady Shiba, may I ask why you have disturbed our recovery?”

“Brother,” Rukia mutters, “please remember this is my Captain?”

“Nevertheless I must insist,” Byakuya continues, “you must be allowed time to rest and recover properly.”

“Thank you, Brother, but I am not wounded,” Rukia insists. “You are. If anything I'm the one who should be worried about you.”

“You really did get cut up pretty good,” you nod, examining the many bandages that wrap Byakuya's upper body. You can only imagine those sorts of wounds are all over him. “Ichigo did all of this?”

“There were many things about that young man which surprised me,” Byakuya replies, “not the least among which is your apparent familiarity with him.”

“A mystery for another day, little Byakuya,” you tease.

>Tell me about the battle. How exactly did he surprise you, a centuries-old Captain?
>Have Rukia's powers begun to return yet? It's been quite a while since the incident began.
>Rukia's condition doesn't change her duties. I expect her to report to barracks for important exercises.
>Other?

>>45003002
our commandos are all at least as strong as Mila Rose and Sung-Sun, and Matsumoto's almost exactly even with Apacci

>>45003018
>Tell me about the battle. How exactly did he surprise you, a centuries-old Captain?

>>45003018
>Tell me about the battle. How exactly did he surprise you, a centuries-old Captain?
I wonder what's the change in Strawberry's bankai

>>45003018
>Tell me about the battle. How exactly did he surprise you, a centuries-old Captain?

>>45003018
>>Tell me about the battle. How exactly did he surprise you, a centuries-old Captain?

>>45003040
Considering he knows that we have hollow powers, he seems less likely to cover for Ichigo. Assuming Ichigo still has hollow abilities and didn't start using Blut, seeing as false Zangetsu might not feelt he need to restrict Ichigo's potential as much, due to Yhwach being dead.

>>45003018
>>Have Rukia's powers begun to return yet? It's been quite a while since the incident began.
>>Tell me about the battle. How exactly did he surprise you, a centuries-old Captain?
Rukia condition and then story time

>>45003018
>Have Rukia's powers begun to return yet? It's been quite a while since the incident began.

>>45003018
>>Tell me about the battle. How exactly did he surprise you, a centuries-old Captain?
>>Have Rukia's powers begun to return yet? It's been quite a while since the incident began.

>>45003018
>>>Tell me about the battle. How exactly did he surprise you, a centuries-old Captain?
>>>Have Rukia's powers begun to return yet? It's been quite a while since the incident began

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>>45003018
“You're a centuries-old Captain, Byakuya,” you observe, astonishment creeping into your voice. “And you're telling me a fifteen year-old punk and his hundred and thirty pounds of wishful thinking caught you off guard?”

“Well, when you put it that way,” Byakuya sighs with an uncharacteristic sheepishness, “it does sound rather pitiful, doesn't it? But the fact stands I underestimated that bo...”

Byakuya catches himself for a moment. “That young man, rather, to my detriment.”

“How did it happen?”

“It began as these things usually do,” he explains. “Trading barbs, talking down at each other, and generally discerning how the other might be thinking. Then it progressed to shikai, where Kurosaki Ichigo's technique wounded me... he called it...”

“Getsuga Tenshō,” you finish the sentence. “As I suspected. Go on.”

Suppressing his surprise at your familiarity with the technique, which you've seen Isshin use once or twice, your fellow Captain continues his account. “He challenged me to release my Bankai, and so I humored him.”

“He fought your Bankai with only his shikai?” you ask, shaking your head. “He really is a teenaged boy after all. More bravado than his brain knows what to do with.”

“He fared decently well,” Byakuya recounts calmly, “better at first than Renji did. But eventually my Senboonzakura overwhelmed him.”

“There's no way to dodge those blades,” you recall, “save for closing to within inches of your own body, or else attacking from outside your line of sight.”

“That man managed it,” Byakuya insists. “By releasing his own Bankai.”

“Such a small thing, I couldn't believe it. A shorter blade, shaped much like his shikai, but entirely black. I was not convinced until he managed to parry an entire wave of Senbonzakura Kageyoshi's blades.”
>1/2

>>45003290
Honestly, considering that Yamamoo, Unohana, Shunsui, and even Ichibei's bankai (or whatever the real name is) look pretty small visually, I think at some point Byakuya got the wrong idea on what bankai should look like.

Makes me wonder how flashy his grandfather's was.

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>>45003290
“He deflected all of them?” you ask, completely shocked that anyone but you or Yoruichi could be that fast... no, that would at least place his bladework slightly ahead of your own in terms of raw speed. “How can that be?”

“If his power was extremely compressed into a small physical form, and given over entirely to enhancing speed,” Tenkotsuki theorizes in your mind, “it could be done. But that would preclude any use of kidō.”

“I believe he...”

“... relies on densely compressed spiritual power reinforcing the body,” you interrupt Byakuya. “Seems that way.”

“That was only the beginning,” Byakuya recounts. “I sought to entrap him, to guess from where his strike would come. By using both of my hands I increased the speed of my blades to compensate, forcing him to take a specific path to weave through them.”

“So you held back at first?” you sigh. “As much as I'd like to remind you how dumb that is, in this case I'm glad for it.”

“When Kurosaki Ichigo saw an opening above me I used Sōkatsui to fill that supposed blind spot. It should have caused him great harm, or at least have left him open.”

“But it didn't?”

Byakuya shakes his head. “His blade seems to absorb reiatsu and add it to his own. Every spell or projectile summoned by a zanpakuto only serves to fuel his power.”

“More like a quincy technique,” Rosa observes. “Dominating reishi and converting it to his own use.”

“He dominated the reishi in your attacks,” you nod thoughtfully. “Of course that couldn't last. Not indefinitely, not against a Captain.”

“Indeed,” Byakuya nods in agreement, looking uncomfortable. “He reached his limit as a human first.”

>Clearly he didn't die. Why didn't you kill him?
>Why are you uncomfortable about this part?
>What happened when he reached his limit?
>Other?

>>45003381
To be fair. Kubo has no idea what he's doing.

>>45003403
>>What happened when he reached his limit?

>>45003403
>What happened when he reached his limit?
Cmon cmon cmon, i want to slap his shit so he doesnt pussy foot around with Zangetsu anymore.

>>45003403
>Why are you uncomfortable about this part?

>>45003403
>>Why are you uncomfortable about this part?
....Hollow?

>>45003403
>>Why are you uncomfortable about this part?
>>What happened when he reached his limit?

>>45003403
Goddamn Strawberry, what have we created?

>>45003403
>What happened when he reached his limit?

>>45003403
>What happened when he reached his limit?

>>45003403
>What happened when he reached his limit?

>>45003457
Wait, are these things he do not canon?

I assumed they were.

There is too much shit to remember about zanpaktos to remember them all! FUCK.

>>45003457
a proper Shiba, and a good husbando for Rukia

>>45003403
>Why are you uncomfortable about this part?

>>45003403
>>Why are you uncomfortable about this part?
>>What happened when he reached his limit?

>>45003472
Not this well man, not this well

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>>45003472
Compressing his power until he moved so fast even Byakuya had trouble keeping up at first? Yeah, definitely canon, though it gets rather nerfed. At some point Grimmjow insults Ichigo's Bankai as only giving him "average speed". Lots of arguing in the fanbase over that.

Absorbing reiatsu from a parried attack and using it to enhance his speed and physical strength even further? That's new. Getsuga is also a bit more flexible, and can be fired from the crook in his blade like a quincy arrow.

>>45003472
Ichigo used to be fast before everyone else became faster then him. It's never explained how the other Captains keep up with him, so don't bother asking.

>>45003516
Honestly I'm pretty sure that despite getting vizard powers, Ichigo was actually pretty much weaker during the Hueco Mundo than he was in Soul Society through a combination of Ukitake's dummy badge, and both Zangetsus not really being on Ichigo's side.

>>45003610
I was under the impression that the high-speed technique is what puts way too much strain on Ichigo's body for him to sustain it for too long, and he didn't learn any defensive techniques to mitigate it. Like when the real Zangetsu took control, it seemed like the proper use of tensa Zangetsu was endlessly spamming Getsuga Tenshou in unpredictable patterns.

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>>45003403
“You seem uncomfortable,” you observe politely. “What happened when Ichigo reached his limit?”

“His body could no longer handle the speed and power,” Byakuya explains slowly, almost like a child trying not to get himself caught in a lie. Well, not a child like Gin at least. Smug little bastard.

“He slowed gradually until I could overtake him. This was due to the strain of his enhanced muscles pulling on the bones. Torn muscles, burst ligaments, hyperextended tendons, pulverized bones. Kurosaki Ichigo fought relentlessly, though his body was already dying slowly.”

“What changed?” you ask, already anticipating the answer.

“I was unsure at first,” Byakuya begins by trying to dodge the question. “It would be unhelpful to speculate.”

“Just tell me, Byakuya,” you insist quietly as Rukia sits up straighter in her bed to listen intently. “If you're worried about Ichigo getting in trouble don't be. His safety is after all my responsibility.”

“So tell me... what happened?”

“He... changed,” Byakuya tells you cautiously. “Became more aggressive, almost psychotic. He spoke to himself as if it were someone else that was in control of his body, like a man possessed. And his strength redoubled to match his newfound ferocity.”

“Ichigo?” Rukia asks in shock. “Psychotic? Driven I could understand, perhaps even relentless. But psychotic is absolutely NOT something I think he could ever be. Not the man I know.”

“The man you know?” Byakuya asks, raising an eyebrow. “You described him as an acquaintance and a local guide, nothing more. Your exact words to me.”

“Brother,” Rukia begins with a sigh, “I'm your little sister. Of course I lied about a boy.”

>Get on with your story, Byakuya? Please?
>What you saw was called “hollowfication”. Ichigo didn't choose to do it willingly.
>I know what it is you saw, Byakuya. I would ask that you keep it to yourself.
>Other?

>>45003666
>>I know what it is you saw, Byakuya. I would ask that you keep it to yourself.

>>45003666
>>What you saw was called “hollowfication”. Ichigo didn't choose to do it willingly.

>Lighten the mood, tease rukia

>>45003666
>I know what it is you saw, Byakuya. I would ask that you keep it to yourself.
>Oh really Rukia~! After sleeping in the same room as him.

>>45003666
>I know what it is you saw, Byakuya. I would ask that you keep it to yourself.

>>45003666
>What you saw was called “hollowfication”. Ichigo didn't choose to do it willingly.
>Tease da Rukia Tease da Rukia Tease da Rukia!

>>45003666
Wait, is the hollow mask slowly materializing on Ichigo's something Byakuya didn't notice?

>>45003650
I don't know if that was really "proper technique" so much as something Ichigo clearly couldn't handle, since his defensive techniques consist entirely of "dodge" and "take it on the chin".

>>45003666
>What you saw was called “hollowfication”. Ichigo didn't choose to do it willingly.
Actually, shouldn't canon!Ichigo have hollowfied Byakuya during that fight, since it was the first time he went full hollow?

>>45003666
>>Lighten the mood, tease rukia
>Get on with your story, Byakuya? Please?
Inform Byakuya about Hollow Incident and Aizen duplicity in case he didn't know

>>45003666
>>Other?
"I think I got an idea on what you might be on about. You're welcome to ask, but knowing you, I realize you probably won't be inquisitive about it. Don't worry, I'll be handling it."

>>45003719
No, Hollowfied is caused by Aizen's hollow virus.

>>45003666
"Honesty Byakuya, you've heard what's been being said about Yoruichi and I. What makes you think you couldn't tell me of all people?"

>>45003666
>>What you saw was called “hollowfication”. Ichigo didn't choose to do it willingly.
>Tease Rukia. Always tease Rukia

>>45003719
Not how it works anon, There are several kinds of hollowfication.

>>45003666
>I know what it is you saw, Byakuya. I would ask that you keep it to yourself.

>>45003750
Like I don't know, did he miss how Riku and Yoruichi pulled off a similar trick right in front of Aizen somehow?

>>45003799
I think he was in traction by then

>>45003799
He saw it in canon, commented that it was "like a hollow", and let the subject drop. The situation here is slightly different, due entirely to Riku and Yoruichi's involvement.

>>45003825
you know, if canon characters had just asked more questions, a lot of issues would have been solved

Question: is teasing the Rukia a division-wide sport, and if so, who has the highest score?

>>45003899
Riku is winning because she can make quips about marriage and grandkids.

She is also disqualified from the official running because she can make quips about marriage and grandkids, so the highest official score goes to Mirai

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>>45003666
“I know what it is that haunts him,” you admit wearily. “It was what I feared. The barbarity, the raw power, the psychosis. It can only mean one thing... I'd always hoped it wouldn't come to this, but it has.”

“So it's true,” Byakuya frowns. “How could such a thing be possible, after all these years... Aizen?”

You nod solemnly as Rukia tries to figure out what you're both referring to. “I've kept tabs on Ichigo since the day of his birth. Never intrusively, just enough to confirm to myself that all was well. I'll have to consider what to do.”

“If there's something wrong with Ichigo I'd have you tell me, Captain,” Rukia insists, surprising you with her sudden and uncharacteristic fervor.

“Ichigo was born with a potential that many shinigami find distasteful” you explain to her. “Like I said, Kuchiki I'm weighing my options for how to deal with this... though it's cute you're so concerned about him.”

“Are you planning to report this to the Head Captain?” Byakuya asks cautiously as Rukia turns to hide what you suspect is a blush.

You glare fiercely at him. “Of course not. And I'd ask that you keep it to yourself as well, Captain.”

“As you kept news of your own condition to yourself?” he presses. “As you kept news of your so-called alliances to yourself?”

>Those decisions we made to counter a conspiracy of unknown scale and intent. Ichigo however is an innocent victim of fate.
>Yes, exactly the same. I made the decisions I deemed best for the Seireitei then, and I'm doing the same now.
>My own business is exactly that, same as your family's concerns regarding "honor" and "duty" are your business.
>Other?

>>45003936
>>Those decisions we made to counter a conspiracy of unknown scale and intent. Ichigo however is an innocent victim of fate.

>>45003936
>>Those decisions we made to counter a conspiracy of unknown scale and intent. Ichigo however is an innocent victim of fate.

>>45003936
>Those decisions we made to counter a conspiracy of unknown scale and intent. Ichigo however is an innocent victim of fate.
>My own business is exactly that, same as your family's concerns regarding "honor" and "duty" are your business.

>>45003936
>Those decisions we made to counter a conspiracy of unknown scale and intent. Ichigo however is an innocent victim of fate.

>>45003936
>Those decisions we made to counter a conspiracy of unknown scale and intent. Ichigo however is an innocent victim of fate.
>Maybe it's time we stopped damning good people for things out of their control

>>45003932
>>45003899
Rule 1 of teasing the Rukia: No making the Rukia cry. Anyone who makes the Rukia cry has their score reset to 0 and receives a beating from the Captain personally.

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>>45003936

>>45003990
That was the old rule. Now we tell Ichigo who made Rukia cry. If we like the idiot who messed up, they get a half hour head start

>>45003990
Rule 2 of teasing the Rukia. Score is based on the Rukia's blush intensity. 1 point for faint pink. 2 points for rosy red. 3 points for full face flush. 1 bonus point for every stammering sentence uttered by the Rukia.

>>45004014
Riku is still way scarrier than Ichigo.

>>45004024
If you reach ten points with one taunt you win, and the game immediately resets.

>>45004014
>Implying Ichigo is scarier than Riku
Get out.

>>45003990
Too easy for Rangiku then. As long as she can keep Rukia engaged, she'll rack points on nothing but bouncing off comparisons on melons vs. peaches.

Current Rankings:
Captain Kusajishi-DISQUALIFIED (unfair advantage
Kurosaki Ichigo-157 points (DISQUALIFIED, all points gained by accident)
Matsumoto Rangiku-87 points
Mirai-85 points
Ichimaru Gin-74 points
Kai-69 points
Hisagi Shuhei-31 points
Captain Kyoraku- negative 27 points

>>45003936
I think what it boils down to is Kyouka Suigetsu essentially means Aizen essentially had complete control of information over everyone he hypnotized, and on top of that, I don't feel like there's much shame in admitting he's smarter than us. I wouldn't say we were scared of him per say, just... wary.

>>45004065
Rangiku is banned from all teasing games, she's just to fucking good at it.

>writing

>>45003936
I'll have you know Division zero knew about what I was up to. As did my mother.

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>>45004076
>all points gained by accident

Oh Ichigo, you dense little man.

>>45004099
>As did my mother
Uh

>>45004116
Inari.

>>45004130
Right right

>>45004108
he's smarter than most shonen protags, but not when it comes to romance

>>45004099
>As did my mother.

In what world is that relevant to this conversation?

Not only is that a dumb thing to say, but most shinigami are actually non-theistic insofar as I am aware. Never see any of them pray, though a few zanpakto make references to various gods.

>>45003936
“Kyōka Suiegetsu's powers were something we deduced fairly early on,” you explain to Byakuya, finding yourself going into much greater detail than usual. “Left with a conspiracy of unknown scope and intent and powers that would have led to a death sentence, we were forced to hide as much of our involvement as we could. Remain in the Seireitei gathering information, which took a hundred years to come to fruition because of how well Aizen controlled that information.”

“And the arrancar?” Byakuya presses. “Why did you help them evolve?”

“Arrancar?” Rukia muses. “What's that even mean?”

“Menos grande who have removed their masks,” you explain. “When that happens a menos becomes more like a shinigami. Higher reasoning, greater power, and a mostly human form.”

“And you helped them do it?” Rukia gasps. “Whatever for, Captain?”

“I took a gamble,” you admit. “I had known of them for some time, and we had remarkably cordial relations already. Helping them become arrancar gave them what they desired: it freed them from the cycle that consumes every hollow's existence given enough time. It formed the basis for a deeper friendship and a useful partnership.”

“So you admit it was a gamble?” Byakuya continues. “And what if that gamble had failed?”

“Then we'd be no worse off than if we'd tried to gather allies in the Seireitei and tipped our hand to Aizen early.”

“So it's all true?” Rukia asks solemnly. “All the rumors we've heard are true? Aizen's gone, a stronger enemy's awakened, and my Captain's been engaged in what a lot of shinigami consider treason?”

“In all fairness it can't be treason,” Byakuya admits. “There is no law describing it as such...”

“... because nobody's ever been desperate or foolish enough to try it,” you complete the sentence. “But make no mistake, Aizen's been busy as well.”
>1/2

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>>45004205
>Explain your own battle to them (Write-in)
>Explain to Rukia that she should stay here with her brother?
>Tell Rukia she can see the evidence herself.
>Other?

>>45004205
>Tell Rukia she can see the evidence herself.

>>45004216
>Tell Rukia she can see the evidence herself.

>>45004216
>I also had the help of Oetsu
>Tell Rukia she can see the evidence herself.

>>45004216
>>Tell Rukia she can see the evidence herself.

>>45004216
>Tell Rukia she can see the evidence herself.

>>45004216
>Tell Rukia she can see the evidence herself.

>>45004216
>>Tell Rukia she can see the evidence herself.

>>45004216
>Other
Give her a briefing on the damages that Aizen sought to bring on Seireitei.

>>45004216
>Give her a brief rundown on the damage control that the whole Aizen Conspiracy brought to Seireitei. Tosen Dead, Aizen and Mayuri Defected. Central 46 massacred, Damage control left and right, and the onset of a 3-way cold war in which Aizen has set his base of operations at the abandoned city of OMG's old nemesis the late Quincy King.

>>45004216
>Tell Rukia she can see the evidence herself.

>>45004216
Since Byakuya knows all about protocol and can keep his mouth shut, I feel like it's safe to run Ouetsu's involvement by Byakuya first. Like where does Squad Zero fall on the hiearchy? Can they even given orders, or are they meant to purely be bodyguards?

>writing

>>45004347
I get the feeling that they primarily guard the Soul King's palace, but are allowed to do whatever the fuck they feel like.

>>45004429
Yeah but I'm more wondering that is their approval worth jackshit?

>>45004444
I think that their approval goes along way.

>>45004444
Sort of. They're crazy strong exemplars of shinigami talent, and have a huge amount of respect from those that know about them. OMG called out the fact that Rosa could only have been forged into a sword by them to stop fears among the captains. On the other hand, the rank and file probably doesn't know much about them, if they know they exist.

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>>45004216
“And that serves as justification?”

“Any shelter in a storm, Byakuya,” you reply calmly. “And it's a real shitstorm that we have to deal with here. The Central 46 slaughtered, two Captains defected and one dead, with who knows how many secrets taken with them.”

“Regardless of how you feel about them, turning the arrancar away needlessly does us more harm than good.”

Byakuya seems to ponder the wealth of information you've handed them both. “I will determine for myself whether these arrancar may be trusted.”

“That's the most I can ask,” you nod respectfully. “Just give them a fair chance and they'll grow on you too. But Rukia, on the other hand... you my dear have a chance to get a head start.”

“What do you mean?” she asks almost timidly.

“You said it yourself, you're not hurt. I'd like you to be present at a joint exercise between our Division and its guests,” you explain to your subordinate. “Even if you're not at full, you could take quite a bit away from the experience.”

After some futile argument Byakuya is forced to acknowledge that there's absolutely no valid reason to oppose Rukia's new assignment, and that you do have jurisdiction over her from here on. She promises to visit him tomorrow to check on his condition.

“Ichigo really got through to him,” she tells you once you've both left. “I was beginning to wonder if he might actually have wanted to dispose of me for some reason.”
>1/2

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>>45004536
“Try as he might to hide it he's a decent guy,” you remind Rukia about her brother. “I told you that much, didn't I?”

Rukia nods thoughtfully. “I will retrieve Mirai. You'll find Nikko and Hisagi down the hall five rooms.”

“And it seems they're not alone,” you observe before parting ways with her. Sure enough you open the door to find Kenpachi, covered in bandages, looking over your officers with a leer that would freeze the heart of most shinigami.

“Ah, so you decided to drop by!” Kenpachi greets you, turning his leer in your direction. “I heard those strong arrancar guys were stayin' at your place?”

>Down boy. No arrancar for you.
>They are, you can meet them if you'll promise to behave.
>I suppose you'll try it on your own eventually. I could arrange a fight.
>Raise your blade to one of them and I beat you to death with your own severed limbs.
>Other?

>>45004542
>>Down boy. No arrancar for you.
At least not yet anyway.

>>45004542
>>Down boy. No arrancar for you.
Not yet at least

>>45004542
>>Down boy. No arrancar for you.
Option four is tempting, but it'd probably just make his murderboner stronger.

>>45004542
>I suppose you'll try it on your own eventually. I could arrange a fight.

>>45004542
>>They are, you can meet them if you'll promise to behave.
>I suppose you'll try it on your own eventually. I could arrange a fight.

>>45004542
>They are, you can meet them if you'll promise to behave.

>>45004542
>They are, you can meet them if you'll promise to behave.

>>45004542
>They are, you can meet them if you'll promise to behave.

>>45004542
>They are, you can meet them if you'll promise to behave.

>>45004542
>They are, you can meet them if you'll promise to behave.

>>45004542
>>They are, you can meet them if you'll promise to behave.
>>I suppose you'll try it on your own eventually. I could arrange a fight.

>>45004542
>I suppose you'll try it on your own eventually. I could arrange a fight.
>But ONLY if you behave like a good boy. That means no fights to the death, you stop when people say stop, and no severing of arrancar limbs. Got it?
Give him a headpat if he complies.

>>45004076
>>Captain Kyoraku- negative 27 points
kek'd.

Y'know, the humans should create a spinoff game called Tease the Ichigo. he's a pretty bashful little fucker himself..

>>45004594
Yoruichi and Riku are banned unfortunately.

>>45004542
>They are, you can meet them if you'll promise to behave.
>I suppose you'll try it on your own eventually. I could arrange a fight.

We should probably throw Apacci at him. Halibel would wreck him too hard, Starrk would be kinda bored and lazy, and Mila Rose or Sun-Sung wouldn't give him as good a fight, though the two of them together would work.

>>45004591
I figure Kenny headpats should wait until he achieves Shikai, once he does we can show that we're proud of him.

>>45004602
Once again so is Rangiku, in that list Gin is probably on top.

>>45004542
>They are, you can meet them if you'll promise to behave.
>I suppose you'll try it on your own eventually. I could arrange a fight.

>>45004542
>>Down boy. No arrancar for you.

>>45004611
I think being beaten up is fine for Kenpachi. Like he didn't seem ashamed that he was beaten by Ichigo. If anything it just lets him come back stronger.

>>45004542
>They are, you can meet them if you'll promise to behave.

What could possibly go wrong

>>45004542
>> suppose you'll try it on your own eventually. I could arrange a fight.

>>45004542
“You can meet them if you promise to behave,” you tell Zaraki, “and if you're very good I may even allow a demonstration.”

“Now yer talkin' my...”

“Non-lethal only,” you interrupt, and Zaraki's grin fades a little.

“... well, it's better than nothin', I guess. Beats the shit outta sitting around this place all damn day.”

“Are the two of you in a condition to leave?” you ask your Commandos. “We can talk about how your part in the battle went along the way. An official report can wait until you've fully recovered.”

“Thanks, Captain,” Kai responds gratefully. “Now that you're bein' conciliatory, I could use a leave of absence... and a Tenshintai, if you'll grant clearance.”

“Ran into some trouble with Amagai, did you?” you ask thoughtfully. “And you,Shūhei?”

“I would like to make the same request, ma'am,” your Sixth Seat bows respectfully.

Kai you could understand... he's worked his ass off since you first took him into your Division from Eleventh a century ago, and has been one of your most stubborn supporters alongside Mirai and your wife and daughter. It'd be dangerous even for him, but you think he could handle it.

Shūhei on the other hand is a relative newcomer to the Division: a prodigy by most standards, but could he handle the Tenshintai? Ichigo's rate of growth and sheer stubbornness is far greater than your Sixth Seat's, and his inner hollow and unusual zanpakuto make him a poor comparison. Urahara, as much as he pisses you off sometimes, is also a genius. Shūhei, though certainly more than adequate in all respects, is far from a genius intellect and lacks Urahara's experience.
>1/2

>>45004662
he dueled Ichigo properly, though. he gets nothing out of a fight with Riku or Starrk, since it ends before he even registers it. possibly Halibel, too, plus she might accidentally kill him, and the two of them would definitely wreck far more of the seireitei than is deemed acceptable. Lilynette is too cute to fight. that leaves the three Stoogeletts and Allon as appropriate opponents.

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>>45004720
To Kai you say:
>Permission granted. Best of luck.
>Permission granted, but you'll be carefully observed.
>Permission denied, I can't allow my Third Seat to gamble with his life.

To Shūhei you say:
>Under strict observation only. I see anything I don't like I pull the plug on the whole thing.
>Forget it, you're better off doing it the slow way. Even I didn't chance it with the Tenshintai.

>>45004726
>>Permission granted, but you'll be carefully observed.
>>Under strict observation only. I see anything I don't like I pull the plug on the whole thing.

>>45004726
Kai
>>Permission granted, but you'll be carefully observed.
Shuhei
>Forget it, you're better off doing it the slow way. Even I didn't chance it with the Tenshintai.

>>45004726
>>Permission granted, but you'll be carefully observed.
>Under strict observation only. I see anything I don't like I pull the plug on the whole thing.

>>45004726

deny them both permission for now. maybe later on, if they still haven't made progress, and only after we duel them personally to get a better handle on their current development.

the problem with allowing Kai and denying Hisagi is that it would look incredibly suspicious not only to Hisagi, but pretty much everyone else. it might seem like we forbid it because of how much they trust us rather than their level of skill, for instance.

>>45004726
Wait doesn't the Tenshintai make it impossible to attain bankai if you don't do it within the time limit?

>>45004726
>Permission granted. Best of luck.
>Under strict observation only. I see anything I don't like I pull the plug on the whole thing.

>>45004726
>Permission granted, but you'll be carefully observed.

>Under strict observation only. I see anything I don't like I pull the plug on the whole thing.
Well, if Renji (who is his "junior") pulled it off, I don't see why not in this case.

>>45004787
Renji pulled it off the normal way didn't he?

>>45004726
>Permission denied, I can't allow my Third Seat to gamble with his life.

>Forget it, you're better off doing it the slow way. Even I didn't chance it with the Tenshintai.

I need more information from both of them first. Especially since I know that Kazeshini is a real piece of work.

>>45004787
Renji was like 90% done already. We don't know what kind of progress Shuhei and Kai have made.

>>45004726
>Forget it, you're better off doing it the slow way. Even I didn't chance it with the Tenshintai.
>Permission denied, I can't allow my Third Seat to gamble with his life.
Unless they can show that they can physically manifest their zampakuto spirits, no greenlight.

>>45004792
He was able to manifest the normal way and used the training dummy for the final push.

>>45004817
Ah Okay then
>>45004726
I have to go with this >>45004809

>>45004780
Yoruichi only ever stated in canon that Kisuke decided going over the time limit is extremely dangerous. As only he and Ichigo ever used it in canon and SSQ alike, nobody knows in character exactly how many ways and at what stages it could all go wrong.

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>>45004827
Yeah I forgot. I re-read the manga, and while I'm not sure about the translation, it seems like Yoruichi was given serious consideration to extending the time it took, and it doesn't seem like there's a penalty for stopping halfway. Like the second panel indicates that other people tried it before but weren't able to use it successfully.

>>45004809
supporting this. We don't know what to make of their progress.

>>45004726

>Permission granted, but you'll be carefully observed.
>Under strict observation only. I see anything I don't like I pull the plug on the whole thing.

If nothing else, it'll be a learning experience for them. Just abort after three days.

>>45004872
I think what confused me was the "never made it to bankai" part. But that could just be how difficult it is to get bankai in general. Like despite all the captains and a decent percentage of lieutenants having one, compared to Soul Society as a whole that's still a really small amount.

I'm still a bit cautious though.

>>45004906
Or their zanpakuto spirit kills them before anyone can do anything for a number of possible reasons.

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"Kai, I already know you can manifest already. You have my permission to try under careful observation," you nod to your Commando. "You don't manage it in three days and that's it. I won't take any undue chances with your life."

Kai, who seems a bit surprised at your firm tone, eventually gives you a curt bow: a rare show of formality between the two of you usually reserved only for important moments.

"I'll be interested to see when it works," you continue, "but I'm afraid I can't grant you the same permission, Hisagi."

"Captain?" he asks, taken aback at your refusal. "Why not?"

"Because even I didn't fuck around with that thing," you tell him sternly. "Can you manifest your zanpakuto spirit?"

After a moment, your Sixth Seat shakes his head silently.

"Same thing I told Kai goes for you, I won't lightly gamble with my Commando's lives, especially not on an invention that's only been used successfully twice."

"You reckon..."

"No, Zaraki," you sigh. "Come back after you learn shikai and maybe we'll talk."

>>45004921
LIke Ichigo was desperate and recless (and a freak) and Urahara seems to just prefer inventing shortcuts whenever possible. (and he invented the damn thing). Neither one is advisable (or possible) to emulate.

>>45004929
It's getting pretty late, so I'll be calling it here for the weekend. Thanks for turning out, and hope you had fun catching up on some of what happened when Riku wasn't around to see it!

I'll be sticking around just a couple of minutes for questions and the like. Updates to the social sheet will come some time later today after I've had a rest, and the next session will be announced in advance on twitter.

>>45004929
>"You reckon..."
>
>"No, Zaraki," you sigh. "Come back after you learn shikai and maybe we'll talk."
Oh Kenpachi

>>45004929
>"No, Zaraki," you sigh. "Come back after you learn shikai and maybe we'll talk."
So cute.

But yeah I forgot that Ichigo "manifested" his "zanpakuto" earleir, even if it wasn't for very long. Also it wasn't his zanpakuto and it manifested itself.

>>45004949
Is the Tenshintai kept secret/forbidden? Yoruichi acted like it was something that was normally possessed by the special ops.

Or is it just generally not used due to its absurdly low success rate.

>>45004967
It's more of a curiosity than anything else. An invention that only ever worked for its own inventor is quickly relegated to "last resort" status, though Yoruichi made a study of it. She can even reproduce one on a whim, which could get fun in some circumstances.

>>45004929
Oh boy, Kai.

I wonder if the drastic changes on his zanpakuto through the years would be a factor in this process? I understand zanpakutou with second releases and stuff, but his case is slightly bit different enough from that.

Hisagi, I guess I can somewhat understand. Even his plain shikai necessitates an absurd level of mastery to not get himself hurt too.
And if there's a mental/emotional hurdle too, maybe a face-to-face with Kensei would settle that?

Thanks for running King!

>>45004980
>inb4 Bankai Bootcamp

>>45004949
Thanks for Running Queen.

>>45004980
I guess part of it might be that most of the time, no one really -needs- a bankai that fast right? Like without being at war with anyone, time is something that every shinigami has.

Though right now with both Aizen and Arturo on the loose (and if word gets out that some brat who probably can't even grow a moustache used one successfully) it might be more common.

>>45005002
>it might be more common
And a lot of people would find that it doesn't work for them, or in fact that they couldn't handle their zanpakuto being forcibly manifested without their ability to fully control it on their own.

>>45005017
Well yeah, I'm not saying that it won't end disastrously. But they might try it more often.

Which'll make things even worse when Muramasa shows up (or did we somehow prevent him? or are you not gonna include him because why the fuck would Ouetsu make a zanpakuto capable of controlling all zanpakuto?)

>>45004980
Does it work on Rosa?

>>45005060
Theoretically, there's nothing that would indicate otherwise.
>>45005056
Muramasa actually works on a similar premise. That's why most unseated shinigami don't get a properly manifested spirit.

As for the second part... spoilers.

>>45005095
aaaa let's do it like right fucking now

>>45004949
Archive is up, and I'm out.

Expect the social sheet in several hours.